Water closet apparatus

ABSTRACT

A TANK FOR WATER CLOSET APPARATUS HAS FIRST AND SECOND CLOSED CHAMBERS COMMUNICATING VIA AN OPENING WHICH IS SMALLER IN SIZE THAN A DRAIN APERTURE FROM THE FIRST CHAMBER, THE SECOND CHAMBER BEING CONNECTED TO A SUPPLY CIRCUIT SUCH THAT WHEN THE DRAIN APERTURE IS CLOSED THE CHAMBERS ARE FILLED WITH WATER AND A COMPRESSED AIR CUSHION IS FORMED IN EACH CHAMBER WHEREAS WHEN THE DRAIN APERTURE IS OPENED WATER IS DISCHARGED THERETHROUGH RAPIDLY AND INTENSELY IN A FIRST DRAIN STAGE WHEREAFTER THE WATER FROM THE SECOND CHAMBER IS MORE SLOWLY AND GRADUALLY DISCHARGED DURING A SECOND DRAIN STAGE.   THE CHAMBERS ARE PREFERABLY FORMED BY TWO MOLDED SECTIONS CONNECTED TOGETHER WITH A GASKET INTERPOSED THEREBETWEEN.

P. ALTIERI L WATER CLOSET APPARATUS March 2, 1971 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept.

March 2,1971 P, AL ER. Em 3,566,416

WATER CLOSET APPARATUS 6 Filed Sept. 5, 1968 .3 sheets-sheet :5

ITFI FH EH1! Ht N ,1 64 'llimj 1 l 61B I sm ii 4 H; 5353 United States Patent 3,566,416 WATER CLOSET APPARATUS Pietro Altieri, Pisa, Ezio Giunchiglia, Tirrenia, Pisa, and Roberto Trebbi, Leghorn, Italy, assignors to Pietro Altieri, Ezio Giunchiglia, Roberto Trebbi, and Giuseppi Conti, Leghorn, Italy Filed Sept. 5, 1968, Ser. No. 757,539 Claims priority, application Italy, Sept. 9, 1967, 4,728/67; June 12, 1968, 4,093/68 Int. Cl. E03d 7/22 US. Cl. 4-40 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A tank for water closet apparatus has first and second closed chambers communicating via an opening which is smaller in size than a drain aperture from the first chamber, the second chamber being connected to a supply circuit such that when the drain aperture is closed the chambers are filled with water and a compressed air cushion is formed in each chamber whereas when the drain aperture is opened water is discharged therethrough rapidly and intensely in a first drain stage 'whereafter the Water from the second chamber is more slowly and gradually discharged during a second drain stage.

The chambers are preferably formed by two molded sections connected together with a gasket interposed therebetween.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to water closet apparatus and particularly to a tank for use in apparatus of this type.

Many different types of tanks of the above type have been used in the prior art, but these suffer from a number of disadvantages as regards their cost, construction and operation.

An object of the invention is to provide a tank which is of low cost and simple construction and which operates in a novel manner to feed flush water to the bowl in successive stages.

According to the invention there is provided a tank which comprises a first closed chamber and at least one second closed chamber which are interconnected at a location upstream of a valve means disposed in a drain conduit connected to the first chamber. The connection between the chambers is provided with an opening smaller than that of the drain conduit to produce a substantial hydraulic loss and a supply conduit connected to the tank has a cross-section smaller than that of the drain conduit such that with the valve means closed the first and second chambers fill with water and a compressed air cushion is formed in each chamber, whereas when the valve means is opened water is discharged rapidly and intensely from the first chamber in a first drain stage, whereas the water in the second chamber is discharged more slowly and gradually in a second drain stage.

In further accordance with the invention, the tank comprises first and second portions which are connected together and cooperatively define the first and second chambers. Said portions each have curved walls and connecting partitions to define an elliptical cross-section for each chamber, said chambers being aligned along the major axes of the elliptical cross-section. Preferably said portions are of molded synthetic resin and are formed from the same die. In order to seal the juncture between the portions, as well as to aid in their alignment, the portions are engaged by a packing element having flanges interposed between end flanges of the portions in clamped engagement and tapered sleeves forcibly inserted into respective chambers of the first and second portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side view diagrammatically illustrating one embodiment of a water-closet tank according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a similar view of a modified version;

FIG. 3 is a similar view of another modified version;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IVIV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view, partly in section, of a water closet arrangement with the tank according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the arrangement in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the water closet tank on enlarged scale and partly broken away;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the tank of FIG. 7 also partly broken away;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the tank of FIG. 7 partly broken away;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken. along line XX in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line XIXI in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In FIG. 1 is illustrated a tank for a water closet which comprises three separate closed chambers, namely a first central chamber 11 and two secondary adjacent chambers -12, 13. The central chamber 11 is generally larger than either secondary chamber.

An outlet duct 15 is positioned at the bottom of chamber 11 and outlet ducts 17 are at the bottom of secondary chambers 12, 13. Duct 15 has a substantially greater cross-section than that of duct 17. Duct 15 empties directly into a drain conduit 23, and duct 21 connects ducts 17 one with the other and with drain conduit 23. The drain conduit 23 contains an operation valve V located downstream of the location where duct 21 opens into conduit 23, said valve controlling opening and closing of the drain conduit 23 and hence supply of flush water to the bowl.

A supply conduit 19 is connected to secondary chamber 12 for feeding water under pressure thereto.

The device operates as follows:

When the valve V is closed after a flush operation, Water under pressure is fed through supply conduit 19 into chamber 12. The water flows through ducts 17, 21 and 15 to fill the chambers with water and form compressed air cushions at the top of each chamber. The level to which the water fills the chambers is dependent upon the pressure of the supplied water. When the valve V is opened an intense and rapid discharge of water is eflfected from chamber 11 into duct 15 and drain conduit 23 under the action of the compressed air cushion in chamber 11. Due to the smaller size of ducts 17 compared to duct 15, relatively little flow will take place from the secondary chambers in this first stage of discharge from chamber 11. Subsequently, however, the water is discharged in a second stage from the chambers 12, 13 more slowly and gradually under the action of the compressed air cushions therein. This is due to the greater hydraulic loss in the ducts 17 when compared to duct 15.

Considering the flow of water in drain conduit 23, it is seen that two distinct stages of flow are obtained. This is due to the arrangement where, when the valve V is opened, communication is abruptly established between the central chamber 11, wherein there exists the water pressure of the supply. The flow is instantaneously rapid under the action of the difference of pressure (Ap) of the water pressure, which is approximately of the order of 2.5 atm. (equal to a head of water of 25 meters). The flow velocity is of the order of 20 meters/ sec. with a flow quantity of liters/sec. This produces an initial energetic action in the bowl to remove and crush any solids. This first stage and the action of the water are effected in a time period of the order of a fraction of a second, with a rapid evacuation of the central chamber, thus utilizing a volume of water which may be approximately one-third of the available water in the tank.

This first stage is immediately followed in the tank by the second stage in which water flows from chambers 12 and 13 to the drain conduit as soon as a difference of pressure (Ap') is established. This difference of pressure is established in a stage immediately subsequent to the opening of the valve, and is distinctly lower than the pressure differential Ap, and does not undergo major variation during the operation of the second stage, since the pressure drop in the central chamber 11 is obviously followed by the pressure drop in the secondary chambers 12, 13. However, the difference Ap' will tend to increase as the drain of the central chamber is much quicker. At a certain instant, there will be substantially complete drainage of the central chamber 11, which coincides with the end of the first stage, and initiation of the water flow from the lateral chambers 12, 13, which flow is ad justed however by the difference of pressure Ap' which is substantially lower than the pressure difference Ap which has conditioned the drain of the central chamber 11. Consequently there is a more gradual discharge of the liquid through drain conduit 23 which is prolonged in time, and also conditioned by the load loss through the ducts 17. The discharge in the second stage may be adjusted by appropriate sizing of ducts 17. In the second stage the remaining volume of water is utilized to dilute the solids already removed during the first stage and to cause discharge of the contents of the bowl. It is to be noted that during this second stage, it is also possible to obtain washing with a portion of the water coming from a supply conduit 19.

The above is to be contrasted with a single chamber tank, in which only rapid drainage occurs (with minimum final velocities of the order of 8 meters/sec.) and there is no possibility of automatic adjustment or increase of the water volume (which has a maximum limit).

In FIG. 2 the arrangement is similar to that in FIG. 1 with the exception that the chambers are connected together by common partitions 25, 26 having openings 117 at the bottoms thereof to provide communication between the central chamber 11' and the secondary chamber 12, 13. The operation of the tank in FIG. 2 is substantially the same as that in FIG. 1, the only distinction being in the means which provides communication between the first and second chambers. It is to be understood that the openings 117 are of the order of the same size as the ducts 17 and hence substantially less than duct so as to produce hydraulic loss between the secondary chambers and the first chamber.

The arrangement in FIG. 3 is similar to that in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the exception that conduits 217 provide communication between the secondary chambers 12", 13" and the first chamber 11".

In FIG. 4 is shown the preferred shaped of the chambers, namely as having an elliptical cross-section wherein the chambers are aligned along their major axes. In the arrangement in FIGS. 3 and 4 each chamber has a major axis with a length of 170 mm. a minor axis of a length of 72 mm. The height of the chambers is 496 mm. and the diameters of conducts 217 is mm. The duct 15 in the central chamber 11" has a mm. diameter.

The tank may be made moulded of synthetic resin or formed of welded metal parts.

The upper edge of conduit 17 is above the level of supply conduit 19 as shown in FIG. 1 in order that the supply conduit 19 remain under the residual level of the water in the secondary chambers and thereby provide silent refilling of the tank. A similar construction is provided in the arrangements of FIGS. 2 and 3 to achieve the same effect.

In FIGS. 5 and 6 the tank is designated at 31 and it may be disposed in a wall 33 to be supplied by conduit 35, advantageously through a check valve. From the tank 31 a drain pipe 37 leads to the bowl 39 and is controlled by a valve 41, to selectively open and close the drain pipe.

In FIGS. 7-11 it is seen that the tank is formed by two similar sections 51 and 53, obtainable from a common mould, as will be explained more fully later. The sections are preferably constituted of a synthetic resin. Considering in particular the lower section 53, which is best seen in FIGS. 9-11, the section has an outer curved wall forming three chambers 53A, 53B and 53C of elliptical cross-section. Adjacent chambers are separated by partitions 53E which have lower openings 53F providing communication between the chambers. Central chamber 538 has a lower drain hole 55 for the drain pipe 37. In alignment with the openings 53F, there is provided in chamber 53A a hole 53G for the supply conduit 35. The openings 53G, 53F and the hole 55 may be obtained in the moulding of section 53 with plugs which are removable from the mould in such a manner that the same mould may also serve for the moulding of section 51 in which said openings and hole are absent. As an alternative, the openings 53G, 53F and hole 55 may be bored after the moulding.

In order to reinforce the chamber walls, there are provided horizontal ribs 57 which encircle the chamber walls. The ribs are tangent to the walls along the minor axes of the chambers and are interrupted thereat to minimize the outside size of the tank. The ribs 57A at the lower and upper edges of respective sections 51 and 53 are provided with aligned holes 60 for bolts 62 to secure the sections together. Advantageously four pairs of said bolts are provided.

For connection of sections 51, 53 there is utilized a packing element 64, which has a flange 64A capable of being interposed and clamped between ribs 57A of sections 51 and 53, as shown in FIG. 7. Element 64 includes sleeve portions 64B which are tapered for forcible insertion into each of the chambers 53A, 53B, 53C of sections 51 and 53. In this way it is possible to effect sealing and alignment of the sections, both by the clamping of the flange 64A and by the forcing of the tapered sleeves 64B into the interior of the chambers of the elliptical crosssection.

In this way it is possible to obtain a tank which is simple to manufacture at a low cost and is of restricted size with high capacity, while being easier to assemble.

In order to furnish strength to resist deformation or strains under the action of a high-pressure in the interior of the tank, there may also be provided bafiies 68, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 in chamber 53A. Batfles 68 extend lengthwise of the chamber along the minor axis thereof and may be provided in all the chambers. Bafiles of this kind are easy to obtain by sectioning the dies of the mold which are used to obtain the chambers 53A, 53B, 53C.

What is claimed is:

1. Water closet apparatus comprising a bowl and a tank connected to said bowl for supplying flush water thereto, said tank comprising a first closed chamber and at least one second closed chamber, a drain conduit connecting the first chamber at the bottom thereof with said bowl, valve means in said drain conduit for opening and closing the same, means providing communication between the bottom of said first chamber and the bottom of said second chamber upstream of said valve means, the latter said means being provided with an opening smaller than that of said drain conduit to produce a substantial hydraulic loss, and a supply conduit for water under pressure connected to the tank at the bottom thereof and having a cross-section smaller than that of said drain conduit such that with the valve means closed, the first and second chambers fill with water and a compressed air cushion is formed in each chamber, whereas when the valve means is opened, water is discharged rapidly and intensely from the first chamber in a first drain stage, followed by a second drain stage in which the water from the second chamber is more slowly and gradually discharged.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said supply conduit is connected to said second chamber.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said supply conduit is at a level below the level at which the means providing communication between the chambers opens into said second chamber whereby to remain under the residual level of the water in said second chamber.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said means which provides communication between the chambers comprises aperture means between said chambers at the lower ends thereof.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said means which provides communication between the chambers comprises a duct which opens into said drain conduit and into said second chamber.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said chambers are constituted as containers of elliptical crosssection.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said tank comprises first and second portions connected together and cooperatively defining said first and second chambers.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said portions each have curved walls and a connecting partition to define an elliptical cross-section for each chamber, said chambers being aligned along the major axes of the elliptical cross-section.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said portions include end flanges in face-to-face engagement coupled together in a horizontal plane, the chambers extending vertically with their elliptical cross-section in horizontal planes.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 comprising a plurality of horizontal stifiening ribs encircling said portions at the outer surface of the walls thereof.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said ribs are tangent to said walls of the first and second portions along the minor axes thereof and are interrupted thereat.

5 12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said means which provides communication between said chambers is constituted by an opening at the lower end of the partition.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said portions are constituted of moulded synthetic resin.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 comprising a packing element interposed between said portions for sealing and reinforcing the same at the juncture of said end flanges, said packing element including a flange interposed 15 between said end flanges in clamped engagement, and

tapered sleeve portions extending vertically from said flange in opposite direction for being forcibly inserted into respective chambers of said first and second sections.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 comprising inner 2O batfies within each chamber extending lengthwise thereof along the minor axes of the chamber.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said partitions are two in number and form three chambers, the central of which is the first chamber, while the adjacent lateral chambers each constitutes a second chamber, said means which provides communication between the first and second chambers being constituted by openings at the bottom of each partition, said supply conduit being connected to one of the second chambers while the drain conduit is connected to the first chamber at the bottom thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,182,980 12/1939 Bruzenak 4-26X 2,979,732 4/1961 Harrow 426 FOREIGN PATENTS 788 1/1887 Great Britain 428 WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner R. I. SHER, Assistant Examiner Us. (:1. X.R. 137206,576 

